Patrick P. - Posted - 08/12/2008:  02:30:42

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Hello folks,

Anyone has played a Regal RD 52 ?

instrumentalley.com/Regal-RD-5...rd-52.htm

Seems a nice instrument, how does it sound ?
Thanks for your answers.

Patrick.

meldooby - Posted - 08/12/2008:  06:54:25

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I consider it too much money for a Chinese axe with a factory setup. I'd go with a Gold Tone Paul Beard Sig. for a few bucks more

Mel

Dobro Don - Posted - 08/12/2008:  07:47:38

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quote:

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Originally posted by meldooby

I consider it too much money for a Chinese axe with a factory setup. I'd go with a Gold Tone Paul Beard Sig. for a few bucks more

Mel

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Let me second that recomendation.

I worked as one of the organizers for the 2005 Minnesota Resophonic Guitar Festival and the Beard folks were kind enough to donate a Gold Tone Beard squareneck to our raffle. Time constraints being tight, this was shipped direct to the festival site and I (along with fellow RHO member Leo Whitebird) got to take it out of its shipping box and inspect it and play it.

This thing was darn near still in tune (only minor and I mean minor tuning adjustments) and we played it right out of the box and it sounded great and played great.

I'd spend the money and then know you are getting a great little axe with a really good setup right out of the box. You want a guitar that will inspire you rather then through obstacles in your path so the Beard is an excellent choice.

I have played some Regals and to be fair some of them have been pretty nice - but its a crap shoot whether the one you get will be a "keeper" or a loser. I have yet to hear of a bad Gold Tone Beard box.


Of course the usual caveats apply - your mileage may vary etc. etc. etc.



Don

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"Music creates unity among peoples, cultures and nations. Music can touch the soul making it our universal means of communication."

- Gary Stroutsos Makoche Artist

Patrick P. - Posted - 08/12/2008:  09:33:57

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Many thanks Mel and Don for your answers

Patrick.

dobro? yeah bro! - Posted - 08/12/2008:  09:42:45

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i own an RD-52, and i've had nothing but good luck with it. the tone is great, it plays nice, and stays in tune. i've had it for 3 years and it's opened up quite nicely.

MitchC - Posted - 08/12/2008:  09:49:55

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Another vote for the Gold Tone / Beard (PBSM if possible and your budget permits)

banjomon - Posted - 08/12/2008:  10:17:33

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Patrick -
Although I've never played one of the Regals, they were certainly ones that I looked at when trying to decide what to get for my first reso. And like you, I asked around for a while (on another reso site) to get the opinions of those that have been there and done that before I made my final decision.

One tid bit of advice that was given me, and I pass this on to you, is that no matter what reso you get, a good set up is imperative. This is not saying that you can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear but.....as long as you have something good to start with a good set up will only make it better.

Another bit of advice that was given was to get as good as I could get from the beginning. No, that doesn't mean you have to spend thousands for a good beginning instrument but.....spend enough to get a good first instrument so that you won't be sorry for your purchase. And so that your learning experience is a pleasant one instead of being a night mare because of your instrument.

I've said all that to say this: while there are many good choices out there for a first instrument.....and I'm sure others will offer their suggestions......I made the decision to purchase a Paul Beard Gold Tone solid mahogany as my first reso. I purchased it through Elderly Instruments primarily because I've dealt with them before AND because all of their PBGT resos are set up at Beard's shop. That insures that you're getting a great guitar with a good set up from the get go.

I can only say that I have been very pleased with my PBGT solid and it just gets better and better as time goes on and I have no doubt that it will carry me for quite some time. It is of great quality as far as fit and finish....it stays in tune.....looks great.....sounds awesome......and the volume and tone is very good. Actually, since it has settled in the volume and tone are outstanding. No - it's not a "boutique", custom build guitar but for its' price range, it's just hard to beat.

The other nice thing about the PBGT resos is that if you don't want to spend the extra bucks on the solid mahogany.....then for a little less you can get one of the laminates - either the mahogany or the maple - and the price includes a good, hard TKL case. All of which are very affordable without breaking the bank.

There's a lot of options out there.....just do your homework.....play as many as possible.....then make a decision and go for it!

Good luck on your purchase!!!

meldooby - Posted - 08/12/2008:  11:08:23

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I should add that I have a Regal RD45, one of the older ones made in Korea. After a set of strings and a setup it plays fine too. But not like the Gold Tone

Mel

double E - Posted - 08/12/2008:  13:05:16

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MIne is the RD-52, I've had no problem with it, it sound pretty good and stays in tune well. I did replace the nut and wooden bridge with a taller one. I think for the money its been a great instrument. I did play the Beard model that is comparable that a friend of mine had and I really liked that also. To my ear the beard had a warmer tone. Hope this helps some! P.S. Buy the best instrument you can afford if you serious about learning, you wont regret it.

MitchC - Posted - 08/12/2008:  13:23:23

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"Buy the best instrument you can afford if you serious about learning, you wont regret it."

The best advice yet IMO. If you think you are going to stick with playing the reso, then sidestep all the lower grade stuff... fussing with upgrading this and that... check the used market also. Some good deals to be had out there !




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For sale: Beard R Mahogany squareneck

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 08/12/2008:  15:44:32

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I have played the Regal RD-52, Gold Tone Beard PBR, and Wechter Scheerhorn 6510F side by side. I think the Regal is a fine guitar for the price, but for a little bit more, you get a much better sound out of the Gold Tone and/or the Wechter.

If you get a great price on the Regal, go for it.

=================
Brad''s Page of Steel:
well.com/user/wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to electric and acoustic lap steel guitars

Patrick P. - Posted - 08/13/2008:  04:05:32

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WOW, you are very kind.
Thanks again for all the answers !

Patrick.

TN55 - Posted - 08/13/2008:  05:14:06

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I HAVE AN RD-52 AND OUT OF THE BOX IT WAS CRAP. I TOOK IT APART.REWORKED THE TUNERS,LEVELED THE SPIDER, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE BRIDGE. NOW IT IS A GOOD ENTRY LEVEL BOX. SO HOW MUCH WORK ARE YOU WILLING TO DO

Kevin B - Posted - 08/23/2008:  10:24:56

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I bought an RD 52 from Musicians Friend and by the luck of the draw I got a bad one. Bad finish blems, bad sound, bent soundhole screens. I sent it back for a refund and put the money into domestic parts for my Asian resonator (Johnson) I have what I need now. By the comments here I'm sure there are good RD 52s out there but mine was a sheer lemon.

Kevin - "Possum, it''s what''s for dinner."

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Edited by - Kevin B on 08/23/2008 10:28:05

Dobro Don - Posted - 08/23/2008:  18:47:02

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Well i just spent the morning playing a Regal Black Lighting model reso at a local shop and I have to admit it sounded pretty darned good. In comparison I played a Gibson OMI Phil Ledbetter signature model, a Squareneck Houndog and Jesus Luis Gomez (which also sounded really good). I'd say the Ledbetter and the Gomez sounded the best but the Regal wasn't really all that far behind.

However, the Jesus Luis Gomex was about a half of the cost of the Phil Ledbetter model (PL cost $3195 the J Luis Gomez was around $1600 and the Regal Black Lightning was $715) and sounded pretty much as good as the Ledbetter model (the Ledbetter was "prettier" looking but sure didn't sound that much better for the price).

The Black Lightning has a good cone in it and this one was setup well so to be fair I'd have to say at least consider this as well as a GoldTone Beard.


Don
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Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
-- Red Auerbach

Dobrofanatic - Posted - 08/24/2008:  16:52:18

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My first reso was a Regal, and it was ok...when I got deeper into it, I found that the ledge that the cone sat on was not level. I fixed that, replaced the cone, spider, bridge inserts and nut, following the instructions on the Paul Beard video "Dobro Set Up & Maintenance". This improved the sound, but took time and money.

I think that it's this type of manufacturing error that makes the Regals very hit or miss.

The Beard / Goldtones are great as manufactured, far better than my fixed up Regal. That's the way to go.


Dobrofanatic

chipmunk - Posted - 08/24/2008:  18:09:14

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Hi Patrick....some really good advice on this thread. I don't know your financial situation but if you are like me, there wasn't much money growing on the money tree in the back yard when I bought my first reso about five years ago. There also wasn't much selection up here in the white north so I settled on an Alabama (Asian import) for around $450 and took it to a luthier in Toronto and had him do a full setup including a new cone and spider. This axe is one of the sweetest sounding instruments around, and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. To keep the story short, I also got my hands on a Regal 75 and had it setup professionally. Suffice to say, it doesn't come come even close to the sound quality of the Alabama. Sometimes it is the luck of the draw as to what you end up with. If there is someone in your area who is a seasoned reso player or a reso luthier, see if he/she will go with you to test out a prospective instrument, if not, continue to seek the advice of our members then make that all important decision as to what to buy. Good luck and let us know how you make out.